Maine Man Charged for Palermo Murder

A Maine man is charged with murder for the death of a Palermo man in April.

Liberty, Maine Man Charged With Murder of a Palermo Man

Kirby Bradford, 58, of Liberty, is charged with murder for the death of Robert Bruso, 56, of Palermo.

Maine State Police were conducting a welfare check at Mr. Bruso's home on Boots and Saddle Road in Palermo at approximately 10:30 am on April 19th, when they found his body outside his home.

Maine Man Faces Murder Charge for the Death of a Man in Palermo

An initial investigation by Detectives with the Major Crimes Unit determined the circumstances of his death were suspicious. That finding was reinforced by the Chief Medical Examiner, who conducted an autopsy and ruled the manner of death as a homicide.

His cause of death has never been released.

Maine Department of Public Safety Spokesperson Shannon Moss says Bradford was charged with murder on September 18, 2025. At the time, he was being held at the Kennebec County Jail on unrelated charges.

Officials have not commented on a motive for the murder or whether the two men knew each other before Bruso died.

Palermo, Maine Murder Victim's Dog Remains At Large

Mr. Bruso's golden retriever dog, Lenny, was not at the scene when the police arrived and has never been located. Officials say anyone who may have seen a golden retriever in the area of Route 3, near Boots and Saddle Road and/or Level Hill Road in Palermo, should contact the Augusta Regional Communications Center at 207-624-7076.

We'll update this story as more details become available.